John Harvey is the Johnny Appleseed of an idea likely to fascinate and frighten you the first time you hear it: What if you REQUIRED every new reporter in your student media operation to go through a 12-week “News Academy,” attending 12 one-hour classes, spending time with senior staffers, completing a minimum number of assignments and passing a final exam — all BEFORE they could apply for a staff position?

The natural reaction is, “I wish we could do that. But could we really REQUIRE it? Would anyone work here?”